Method and apparatus for aggregating gaming event participation

Abstract

A method and apparatus is for aggregately playing multiple gaming activity events en masse, where the gaming activity events would otherwise require participation in a successive fashion. An aggregate play mode is initiated, and a number of gaming activity events to be associated with the aggregate play is identified. A random number set is generated for each gaming activity event included in the aggregate play, where each random number set corresponds to an individual payout result for its respective gaming activity event. A collective payout result is provided, which includes all of the individual payout results associated with the aggregate play.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for aggregating participation in gaming activity sets provided by a gaming activity, the method comprising: 
 receiving a player-initiated request for aggregate play;    receiving an indication of a number of gaming activity sets for inclusion in the aggregate play, wherein each of the gaming activity sets comprises one or more discrete game plays provided by the gaming activity;    generating a gaming outcome for each of the gaming activity sets indicated for inclusion in the aggregate play; and    providing a collective payout result accounting for all of the gaming outcomes associated with the aggregate play.    
     
     
         2 . The method as in  claim 1 , further comprising initiating an aggregate play mode upon receipt of the player-initiated request for aggregate play.  
     
     
         3 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein receiving an indication of a number of gaming activity sets for inclusion in the aggregate play comprises calculating a number of the gaming activity sets available for aggregate play based on an expenditure of an accumulated credit total.  
     
     
         4 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein receiving an indication of a number of gaming activity sets for inclusion in the aggregate play comprises calculating a number of the gaming activity sets available for aggregate play based on an expenditure of an accumulated credit total.  
     
     
         5 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein receiving an indication of a number of gaming activity sets for inclusion in the aggregate play comprises receiving a player-initiated indication of the number of gaming activity sets to be included in the aggregate play via a user interface.  
     
     
         6 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein receiving an indication of a number of gaming activity sets for inclusion in the aggregate play comprises receiving a player-initiated indication of the number of discrete game plays to be included in the aggregate play via a user interface.  
     
     
         7 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein receiving an indication of a number of gaming activity sets for inclusion in the aggregate play comprises receiving a predetermined number of gaming activity sets to be included in the aggregate play.  
     
     
         8 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein receiving an indication of a number of gaming activity sets for inclusion in the aggregate play comprises receiving a predetermined number of discrete game plays to be included in the aggregate play.  
     
     
         9 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein receiving an indication of a number of gaming activity sets for inclusion in the aggregate play comprises receiving a predetermined number of gaming activity sets in response to initiation of a bonus round for inclusion in the aggregate play.  
     
     
         10 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein receiving an indication of a number of gaming activity sets for inclusion in the aggregate play comprises receiving a predetermined number of discrete game plays in response to initiation of a bonus round for inclusion in the aggregate play.  
     
     
         11 . The method as in  claim 1 , further comprising facilitating player selection of the number of gaming activity sets desired to be aggregately played, and generating the indication of the number of gaming activity sets desired to be aggregately played.  
     
     
         12 . The method as in  claim 1 , further comprising presenting information relating to one or more of the gaming activity sets associated with the aggregate play.  
     
     
         13 . The method as in  claim 12 , wherein presenting information relating to one or more of the gaming activity sets comprises providing a representation of the one or more gaming activity sets.  
     
     
         14 . The method as in  claim 13 , wherein presenting a representation includes presenting a visual representation of the one or more gaming activity sets on a display.  
     
     
         15 . The method as in  claim 14 , further comprising presenting, prior to providing the collective payout result, the visual representation of the gaming activity sets that resulted in winning gaming outcomes.  
     
     
         16 . The method as in  claim 12 , wherein presenting information comprises presenting gaming activity summary information for selected ones of the gaming activity sets, wherein the summary information includes a value corresponding to the gaming outcomes for each of the selected gaming activity sets.  
     
     
         17 . The method as in  claim 12 , further comprising presenting a selectable list of the gaming activity sets associated with the aggregate play, and wherein presenting information comprises presenting the information relating to one or more of the gaming activity sets selected by the player from the selectable list.  
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 17 , wherein presenting the information relating to one or more of the gaming activity sets selected by the player from the selectable list comprises providing a visual representation of the selected gaming activity sets on a display.  
     
     
         19 . The method as in  claim 18 , wherein more than one of the selected gaming activity sets are visually represented concurrently on the display.  
     
     
         20 . The method as in  claim 18 , wherein at least some of the selected gaming activity sets are visually represented individually and in sequence on the display.  
     
     
         21 . The method as in  claim 12 , wherein presenting information relating to one or more of the gaming activity sets comprises presenting information relating to the gaming activity sets that resulted in winning gaming outcomes.  
     
     
         22 . The method as in  claim 12 , further comprising presenting the information relating to one or more of the gaming activity sets requested by the player to be presented.  
     
     
         23 . The method as in  claim 1 , further comprising receiving player-selected play attributes that identify one or more options associated with play of the gaming activity sets.  
     
     
         24 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein each gaming activity set comprises a plurality of discrete game plays provided by the gaming activity.  
     
     
         25 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein each gaming activity set comprises a single discrete game play.  
     
     
         26 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein providing a collective payout result accounting for all of the gaming outcomes associated with the aggregate play comprises modifying an accumulated credit total based on all of the gaming outcomes.  
     
     
         27 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein receiving an indication of a number of gaming activity sets for inclusion in the aggregate play comprises receiving an indication of a maximum number of the gaming activity sets supportable by an accumulated credit total.  
     
     
         28 . The method as in  claim 27 , further comprising determining the maximum number of gaming activity sets supportable by the accumulated credit total by dividing the accumulated credit total by the number of credits required for each of the gaming activity sets.  
     
     
         29 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein receiving an indication of a number of gaming activity sets for inclusion in the aggregate play comprises receiving an indication of less than a maximum number of the gaming activity sets supportable by an accumulated credit total.  
     
     
         30 . A method for aggregating participation in slot game events provided via a slot machine, the method comprising: 
 receiving a player-initiated request for aggregate play;    receiving an indication of a number of slot game events for inclusion in the aggregate play, wherein each of the slot game events comprises one or more active paylines presented via the slot machine;    generating a gaming outcome for each of the slot game events indicated for inclusion in the aggregate play; and    providing a collective payout result accounting for all of the outcomes associated with the aggregate play.    
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising: 
 receiving an accumulated credit quantity for inclusion in the aggregate play; and    converting the accumulated credit quantity to a number of slot game events supportable by the received credit quantity, wherein receiving an indication of a number of slot game events comprises receiving the number of slot game events supportable by the received credit quantity.    
     
     
         32 . A method for aggregating participation in gaming activity sets provided by a gaming activity, the method comprising: 
 receiving a player-initiated request for aggregate play;    receiving an accumulated credit quantity for inclusion in the aggregate play;    determining a number of gaming activity sets supportable by the received credit quantity, wherein each of the gaming activity sets comprises one or more discrete game plays provided by the gaming activity;    generating a gaming outcome for each of the gaming activity sets supportable by the received credit quantity; and    providing a collective payout result accounting for all of the generated gaming outcomes.    
     
     
         33 . The method as in  claim 32 , wherein receiving an accumulated credit quantity for inclusion in the aggregate play comprises receiving a player-designated accumulated credit quantity selected by a player of the gaming activity.  
     
     
         34 . The method as in  claim 32 , wherein receiving an accumulated credit quantity for inclusion in the aggregate play comprises receiving a predetermined accumulated credit quantity.  
     
     
         35 . The method as in  claim 32 , wherein receiving an accumulated credit quantity comprises receiving all remaining credit accumulation.  
     
     
         36 . The method as in  claim 32 , wherein receiving an accumulated credit quantity comprises receiving less than all remaining credit accumulation.  
     
     
         37 . The method as in  claim 32 , further comprising presenting information relating to one or more of the gaming activity sets associated with the aggregate play.  
     
     
         38 . The method as in  claim 32 , further comprising receiving player-selected play attributes that identify one or more options associated with play of the gaming activity sets.  
     
     
         39 . A method for effecting concurrent play of all remaining gaming activity sets provided by a gaming activity that would otherwise be carried out at least in part successively by a gaming participant, the method comprising: 
 receiving a participant-initiated request for aggregate play;    determining a credit total accumulated by the gaming participant;    calculating a number of the gaming activity sets supportable by the credit total, wherein each of the gaming activity sets comprises one or more discrete game plays provided by the gaming activity;    generating a gaming outcome for each of the gaming activity sets supportable by the credit total; and    providing a collective payout result accounting for all of the gaming outcomes associated with the aggregate play.    
     
     
         40 . A casino gaming apparatus for providing at least one gaming activity, comprising: 
 a user interface to allow a user to initiate an aggregate play mode, and to designate a number of gaming activity sets for inclusion in the aggregate play, wherein each of the gaming activity sets comprises one or more discrete game plays provided by the gaming activity;    a random number generation module configured to randomly generate an individual payout result for each of the gaming activity sets included in the aggregate play; and    a processor configured to compute a collective payout result based on all of the individual payout results associated with the aggregate play.    
     
     
         41 . The casino gaming apparatus as in  claim 40 , further comprising a display device, and wherein the processor is further configured to present the collective payout result to the user via the display device.  
     
     
         42 . The casino gaming apparatus as in  claim 40 , wherein the random number generation module comprises a programmed portion of the processor.  
     
     
         43 . The casino gaming apparatus as in  claim 40 , wherein the random number generation module comprises a random number generator configured to generate the individual payout results for each of the gaming activity sets included in the aggregate play in series.  
     
     
         44 . The casino gaming apparatus as in  claim 40 , wherein the random number generation module comprises a plurality of random number generators coupled to operate in parallel, and configured to concurrently generate at least some of the individual payout results for the gaming activity sets included in the aggregate play.  
     
     
         45 . The casino gaming apparatus as in  claim 40 , wherein the casino gaming apparatus comprises a slot machine, and wherein the random number generation module generates slot symbol combinations from which the individual payout results are derived.  
     
     
         46 . The casino gaming apparatus as in  claim 40 , wherein the casino gaming apparatus comprises a video keno machine, and wherein the random number generation module generates number combinations from which the individual payout results are derived.  
     
     
         47 . The casino gaming apparatus as in  claim 40 , wherein the casino gaming apparatus comprises a video poker machine, and wherein the random number generation module generates poker hands, based on predetermined draw/hold rules, from which the individual payout results are derived.  
     
     
         48 . The casino gaming apparatus as in  claim 40 , wherein the casino gaming apparatus comprises a video bingo machine, and wherein the random number generation module generates bingo numbers from which the individual payout results are derived.  
     
     
         49 . The casino gaming apparatus as in  claim 40 , wherein the casino gaming apparatus comprises a chance-based gaming machine, and wherein the random number generation module generates random numbers used in the chance-based game from which the individual payout results are derived.  
     
     
         50 . A method in which a gaming participant participates in a gaming activity, comprising: 
 participating in the gaming activity in a standard mode wherein at least some gaming activity events associated with the gaming activity are conducted in succession, and wherein each of the gaming activity events comprises one or more discrete game plays provided by way of the gaming activity;    accumulating a total number of credits;    initiating a speed play mode to participate in a plurality of the gaming activity events concurrently;    designating a number of the plurality of the gaming activity events desired for concurrent participation, wherein a number of credits commensurate with the designated number of gaming activity events is allocated to the concurrent participation; and    collecting a combined payout based on individual payouts of each of the plurality of the gaming activity events subject to the concurrent participation.    
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the discrete game plays comprise paylines.  
     
     
         52 . A method in which a gaming participant participates in a gaming activity, comprising: 
 participating in the gaming activity in a standard mode wherein at least some gaming activity events associated with the gaming activity are conducted in succession, and wherein each of the gaming activity events comprises one or more discrete game plays provided by way of the gaming activity;    accumulating a total number of credits;    initiating a speed play mode to participate in a plurality of the discrete game plays concurrently;    designating a number of the plurality of the discrete game plays desired for concurrent participation, wherein a number of credits commensurate with the designated number of discrete game plays is allocated to the concurrent participation; and    collecting a combined payout based on individual payouts of each of the plurality of the discrete game plays subject to the concurrent participation.    
     
     
         53 . A gaming apparatus for aggregating participation in gaming activity sets provided by a gaming activity, the gaming apparatus comprising: 
 means for receiving a player-initiated request for aggregate play;    means for receiving an indication of a number of gaming activity sets for inclusion in the aggregate play, wherein each of the gaming activity sets comprises one or more discrete game plays provided by the gaming activity;    means for generating a gaming outcome for each of the gaming activity sets indicated for inclusion in the aggregate play; and    means for providing a collective payout result accounting for all of the gaming outcomes associated with the aggregate play.    
     
     
         54 . A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for aggregating participation in gaming activity sets provided by a gaming activity, the computer-executable instructions performing steps comprising: 
 receiving a player-initiated request for aggregate play;    receiving an indication of a number of gaming activity sets for inclusion in the aggregate play, wherein each of the gaming activity sets comprises one or more discrete game plays provided by the gaming activity;    generating a gaming outcome for each of the gaming activity sets indicated for inclusion in the aggregate play; and    providing a collective payout result accounting for all of the gaming outcomes associated with the aggregate play.